Government shutdown enters third day as Senate vote on spending bill set for noon

Lawmakers are set to return to Capitol Hill on Monday in hopes of hashing out a deal. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Senators are back to work Monday, as an ongoing government shutdown forces thousands of federal employees to stay home.

Lawmakers are expected to vote at noon on a bill to keep the government open through early February.

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But some senators think Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could give a stronger commitment that passing a budget bill ensures a vote on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in the coming weeks.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told reporters Monday morning McConnell would likely follow through if he made such a statement.

"So some Democrats have to convince Mitch McConnell stronger language results in an outcome," he said after the majority leader's remarks.

"Nobody's leading on immigration," Graham continued, blaming a lack of guidance from the White House on the issue.

McConnell (left) hoped to set a vote for Sunday night, which Schumer opposed in a bid to keep negotiating. (Pool/Getty Images)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has rebuffed a deal that'd fund the government through Feb. 8, at which point McConnell suggested he'd introduce DACA legislation if a deal on the immigration program isn't reached.

Democrats have wanted the funding bill to be tied to the program, which protects about 800,000 undocumented immigrants from deportation.

McConnell (R-Ky.), speaking on the Senate floor Monday morning, again floated the deal, saying "it would be my intention" to bring a bill for DACA and other top issues if a deal isn't struck by early February.

"It is abundantly clear the Senate cannot make progress on any of these crucial matters until the government is reopened," he said.

A bipartisan group of moderate senators huddled together Sunday to work out a compromise to reopen the government before thousands of federal employees went on furlough.

"I think that the Democratic Leader needs to give him credit for moving on the DACA issue, but it would be at the same time helpful if Senator McConnell's language were stronger," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Schumer wasn't on the Senate floor Monday when McConnell made his pitch.

President Trump continued to blame Democrats for the shutdown in a series of tweets Monday.

"Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base. They don't want to do it but are powerless!" he wrote.